Page 27 of The Cowboy's Christmas
“They take after their mother, who was always coming up with stuff.”
“Maybe so. Well, we’re going to set the table. Thank you for putting the chicken in the slow cooker while taking it easy.”
“A man can onlynotdo so much.”
“Right. I just hope tomorrow is less eventful.”
Less eventful and less…confusing?
She glanced up at Matt’s photo on the mantel of the brick fireplace. He smiled back at her, forever young. Out of reach, but not out of mind. She’d miss him forever, but she was here, and he was not. Did she feel guilty about being attracted to another man?
She would have maybe a year ago. But now she could accept that this was part of life, and shewasalive. It wasn’t the attraction that disturbed her; it was the possibility of setting herself up for another loss. If she wasn’t ready for the journey, she wouldn’t take steps in that direction.
She was so not ready for another journey.
Even now, having accepted that she could and would go on without her best friend, her lover, her husband, the holidays proved to be a cruel trigger.
She glanced across the room, saw that Deke was watching her, reading her. She didn’t want him to worry about her facing Christmas. He’d done too much of that already, as had the rest of her family.
“It’s better this year,” she lied.
“We’ll keep it simple,” Deke assured her. “Just enough to give the girls a good holiday.”
“Aunt Vannie!”
Savannah smiled at Deke. “I am needed.” She’d promised the girls a nail-painting party, and it appeared they were going to squeeze it in before dinner. Fine with her. She could use both a sit down and some shiny blue nails.
“Always a good feeling,” Deke said gruffly. He let his eyes drift closed and Savannah snapped the light off as she left the room. Babysitting and chicken cooking had taken their toll on her favorite uncle.
*
Quinn made thecall he’d been avoiding on the drive into town, timing it so that he’d be able to end the conversation when he hit the highway. Ty’s landline was busy, so he called Austin, who answered on the first ring, and filled him in on the accident and his agreement with Savannah Dunn.
“Damn. Glad you’re okay. You need anything?”
“No. I’m good.” And glad that his brother didn’t question him as to why he hadn’t called earlier. It also made him feel like a bit of a jerk.
“It’s probably kind of pricey staying at the Graff with the holiday rates and all.”
Quinn saw where this was going, and even though his brother made an excellent point, he wasn’t moving in. “It’s manageable. I save my salary, cook for myself. It’s time I blow a little of it.”
“Maybe we could get together again before you take off.”
“Yeah.” The word came out because it was the right thing to do. Get together. Like it or not, he had family in this world.
The only problem was, again, the connection made him uneasy, because it was more than he’d expected. It was stupid in hindsight, but he’d honestly believed he could visit for an hour or two, then go on with his life as if they’d never met. He’d agreed to the meeting more as a courtesy than anything, since he understood what it was like to have unknown brothers.
But he wasn’t ready for family. Not the real kind.
“All right,” Austin said, blasting past Quinn’s misgivings. “Give us a call whenever. Ball’s in your court.”
“Right.” Quinn did his best to sound upbeat.
“Talk to you later.”
“Thanks.” He meant it.
Instant family wasn’t easy, and he was wondering if it was even possible at this late date.
